Political Science BS degree

Program overview

The political science major tightly integrates the traditional fields of American government and international relations in order to prepare students for a life and career in an increasingly globalized world. Moreover, the major includes three tracks for students to choose from: politics and life sciences, digital politics and organization, and political institutions. Through these tracks students study the influence of recent advances in biology and biotechnology on how we understand ourselves as human beings and citizens, or the use of information technology for political organization and communication. There are few undergraduate political science majors in the country that so fully incorporate both these fields into their curricula, including the opportunity to take courses from the biology and information technology departments as part of their program requirements. The major prepares principled leaders and responsible citizens for fruitful careers in the public and private sectors.

Core courses

The major consists of four core courses designed to introduce students to the general themes of political science. The major culminates in a capstone course, which ties together the themes of the program through a seminar and significant writing project.

Program tracks

The overarching goal of the political science major is to prepare students for the challenges of a life and a career in a world that is increasingly globalized, where the application of biotechnology and biomedicine have become common, and where social computing shapes and influences democratic government and the wider community. Students are required to choose one track for in depth study on the political impact of modern biology and biotechnology, the changing role of political institutions in a globalized world, or the development and implementation of technologies that increasingly influence political organization and communication.

Program electives

Students are required to take seven political science electives from the department’s American politics and international relations/comparative government offerings with a minimum of three courses from each area. This requirement recognizes the increasing interdependence of domestic and international politics in this era of globalization. Students focus their studies on American politics, international relations, and comparative politics to provide an integrated national and global political perspective.

Curriculum

Political science, BS degree, typical course sequence

Course

Sem. Cr. Hrs.

First Year

POLS-110

American Politics

3

First Year LAS Elective

3

LAS Perspectives 1, 2, 6, 7A, 7B

15

POLS-120

Introduction to International Relations

3

Political Science Elective

3

First Year Writing Seminar

3

ACSC-010

Year One: College Experience

0

Wellness Education*

0

Second Year

POLS-290

Politics and the Life Sciences

3

Political Science Electives

6

LAS Perspectives 3, 4, 5‡

9

LAS Immersion 1, 2

6

POLS-295

Cyberpolitics

3

Free Elective

3

Third Year

Political Science Track Courses

6

Political Science Electives

6

Free Electives

6

LAS Immersion 3

3

LAS Electives

9

Fourth Year

POLS-530

Political Science Capstone (WI)

3

Political Science Track Course

3

Political Science Electives

6

LAS Electives

12

Free Electives

6

Total Semester Credit Hours

120

Please see General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.

(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.

* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two Wellness courses.

‡ Students will satisfy this requirement by taking either a 3- or 4-credit hour lab science course. If a science course consists of separate lecture and laboratory sections, student must take both the lecture and lab portions to satisfy the requirement.

Program tracks

Politics and the life sciences

BIOL-201

Cell Biology and Molecular Biology

BIOL-265

Evolutionary Biology

BIOL-293

Evolution, Creationism and Intelligent Design

BIOL-321

Genetics

POLS-215

Technology, Ethics, and Global Policy

POLS-285

Environmental Ethics and Political Ecology

POLS-410

Evolutionary International Relations

POLS-415

Evolution and Law

POLS-420

Primate Politics

STSO-421

Environmental Policy

Digital politics and organization

COMM-410

Technology Mediated Communication

ISTE-140

Web I

ISTE-230

Introduction to Database and Data Modeling

ISTE-240

Web II

ISTE-305

Rapid Online Presence

ISTE-330

Database Connectivity and Access

MGIS-320

Database Management Systems

MGIS-425

Database Systems Development

POLS-305

Political Parties and Voting

POLS-370

Cyberwar, Robots, and the Future of Conflict

Political institutions

POLS-210

Comparative Politics

POLS-220

Global Political Economy

POLS-310

The Congress

POLS-315

The American Presidency

POLS-325

International Law and Organizations

POLS-425

Constitutional Law

Additional information

Double majors

Students may pursue a double major in political science and a secondary area of study. Students have combined political science with a double major in diverse fields such as computer science, criminal justice, economics, and philosophy.

Accelerated 4+1 MBA option

An accelerated 4+1 option is available for students who wish to earn a BS in political science and an MBA. The option is offered in conjunction with Saunders College of Business and allows students to obtain both degrees in five years of study.

Experiential education

Beginning in the third year, students may participate in optional learning experiences that may include an internship and/or cooperative education (co-op), which provides students with hands-on experience in a variety of environments, from government agencies, non-profits, nongovernmental agencies, to political campaigns. Through these experiences, students gain employment experience as well as the opportunity to further develop skills in their chosen profession.

Study abroad

A study abroad opportunity enhances student's understanding of global politics and culture. Students may study full time at a variety of host schools and are able to select courses in their major as well as liberal arts courses. To learn more about the Study Abroad program, please visit studyabroad.rit.edu.

Career opportunities

A degree in political science prepares students for careers in law; local, state, and national government; foreign service; business; government relations; and other areas of the private and public sector in which knowledge of the political process and the strengths and limitations of modern democracy and modern society is appropriate. In addition, students are well-prepared for graduate study in a variety of fields, ranging from business and law to political science and public policy.

Advising

Each student is assigned a faculty adviser who assists with course registration, scheduling, course selection, academic concerns, and career counseling.

Faculty

The political science faculty have extensive experience in the classroom and are well-published in their fields of expertise. Faculty members have broad backgrounds in addition to their political science training, including criminal justice, literature, philosophy, political campaigning, political polling, and public policy. Several members have worked for the United Nations and in Washington, D.C., think tanks.

Quarter Curriculum - For Reference Only

Effective fall 2013, RIT converted its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. The following content has been made available as reference only. Currently matriculated students who began their academic programs in quarters should consult their academic adviser for guidance and course selection.

Program overview

The bachelor of science degree in political science tightly integrates the traditional fields of American government and international relations in order to prepare students for a life and career in an increasingly globalized world. Moreover, the program includes tracks of courses in three areas: politics and life sciences, digital politics and the information age, and political institutions. Through these tracks students can study the influence of recent advances in biology and biotechnology on how we understand ourselves as human beings and citizens, or the use of information technology for political organization and communication. There are few undergraduate political science programs in the country that so fully incorporate both these fields into their curricula, including the opportunity to take courses from the biology and information technology departments as part of their program requirements. The program prepares principled leaders and responsible citizens for fruitful careers in the public and private sectors.

Curriculum

Core courses

The program consists of four core courses designed to introduce students to the general themes of political science. The program culminates in a capstone course, which ties together the themes of the program through a seminar and significant writing project.

Program tracks

The overarching goal of the political science program is to prepare undergraduates for the challenges of life and a career in a world that is increasingly globalized, where the application of biotechnology and biomedicine will become common, and where social computing will shape and influence democratic government and the wider community. Students are required to choose one track for in depth study on the political impact of modern biology and biotechnology, the changing role of political institutions in a globalized world, or the development and implementation of technologies that increasingly influence political organization and communication.

Political institutions

0513-451 Congress
0513-452 The American Presidency
0513-456 Judicial Process
0513-487 International Law and Organizations
0513-461 Comparative Politics
0513-490 International Political Economy

Electives

Students are required to take eight courses from the department’s American politics and international relations/comparative government offerings with a minimum of three courses from each area. This requirement recognizes the increasing interdependence of domestic and international politics in this era of globalization. Students will focus their studies on American politics, international relations, and comparative politics to provide them with an integrated national and global political perspective.

Political science, BS degree, typical course sequence (quarters)

Course

Qtr. Cr. Hrs.

First Year

0513-211

American Politics

4

0513-214

Introduction to International Relations

4

0513-425

Politics and the Life Sciences

4

Liberal Arts*

20

Math and Science Requirements‡

16

First-Year Enrichment

2

Wellness Education†

0

Second Year

0513-426

Cyberpolitics

4

Political Science Program Electives

12

Liberal Arts*

16

Math and Science Requirements‡

8

Free Electives

8

Wellness Education†

0

Third Year

Political Science Track

12

Political Science Program Electives

12

Liberal Arts

16

Free Electives

8

Cooperative Education (optional)

Co-op

Fourth Year

Political Science Track

4

Political Science Program Electives

12

0513-500

Political Science Capstone

4

Liberal Arts*

12

Free Elective

4

Total Quarter Credit Hours

182

* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.

† Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.

‡ Please see Mathematics and Science General Education Requirements for more information. Students are encouraged to take the general biology sequence in preparation for the program’s emphasis on politics and the life sciences.

Additional information

Double majors

Students may pursue a double major in political science and a secondary area. Students have combined political science with a double major in diverse fields such as computer science, criminal justice, economics, and philosophy.

Accelerated dual degree option

The E. Philip Saunders College of Business and the political science department offer a 4+1 BS/MBA option that permits qualified students who have earned a BS degree in political science to pursue an MBA. Selected MBA courses may be waived based upon completion of certain undergraduate courses. Students may be able to complete the MBA program in as few as four or five academic quarters.

Experiential education

Beginning in the third year, students may participate in optional learning experiences that may include an internship and/or cooperative education (co-op). An internship or co-op provides students with hands-on experience in a variety of environments, from government agencies, non-profits, nongovernmental agencies, to political campaigns. These opportunities provide students with employment experience as well as the opportunity to further develop skills in their chosen profession.

Study abroad

A study abroad opportunity provides students with a way to enhance their understanding of global politics and culture. They may study full time at a variety of host schools and are able to select courses in their major as well as liberal arts courses. To learn more about the Study Abroad program, please visit the program's website at studyabroad.rit.edu.

Career opportunities

A degree in political science prepares students for careers in law; local, state, and national government; foreign service; business; government relations; and other areas of the private and public sector in which knowledge of the political process and the strengths and limitations of modern democracy and modern society is appropriate. In addition, students are well-prepared for graduate study in a variety of fields, ranging from business and law to political science and public policy.

Advising

Each student is assigned a faculty adviser who will assist with registration, scheduling, course selection, academic concerns, and career counseling.

Faculty

The political science faculty have extensive experience in the classroom and are well-published in their fields of expertise. Faculty members have broad backgrounds in addition to their political science training, including criminal justice, literature, philosophy, political campaigning, political polling, and public policy. Several members have worked for the United Nations and in Washington, D.C., think tanks.